17 June 2017

MANILA, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Philippine troops on Friday rescued a Vietnamese sailor in Basilan who was captured by the Abu Sayyaf militants last November and held there for more than seven months.

The military said in a statement that troops recovered victim Hoang Vo, a crew member of MV Royal 16, around 8:30 a.m. on Friday. He was promptly given medical attention by the medical team and is currently in stable condition.

"Vo escaped from the hands of Abu Sayyaf members who dispersed due to the airstrikes and artillery fires delivered by the troops," the statement read.

The statement said Vo, 28, was from Nghe An in Vietnam, He reportedly sustained a wound in the back when recovered.